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User Training and Responsibilities

User Training and Responsibilities

Prior to arriving at CNMS, be sure to register or login to your Guest Portal account to complete required web-based training. 

Work Control

All research work at CNMS must be planned and reviewed for environmental, safety, and health (ESH) aspects. Research Safety Summaries (RSS) are the primary work control documents used at CNMS and research activities must be approved prior to start of work. Personnel working in CNMS shall follow all work control requirements including but not limited to lab access, security, and postings. Changes in work scope shall be evaluated and approved before the start of research activities.

  • All personnel working in CNMS labs shall be familiar with the CNMS hours of operation and ensure that work outside established operating hours is coordinated with supervision.
  • CNMS is a NON-Radiological facility and therefore radioactive materials cannot enter the facility without special approval.
  • Shipping ANY sample(s) or materials from CNMS needs to be accomplished following ORNL shipping requirements.
  • During the proposal assessment and approval process, Users are informed of all necessary training and/or special preparation required to ensure that the project meets CNMS ESH standards. CNMS required training modules are web-based and can be completed prior to arrival. Depending on scope of work web-based training can be supplemented by on-the-job safety training provided by CNMS staff.
  • The CNMS has specific requirements for electrical work including training and equipment approval. Equipment brought to CNMS must be Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) listed or ORNL inspected/approved prior to use at the CNMS.

Additional ES&H Requirements

Laboratory postings providing contact and general lab information are placed outside each laboratory. If you have any questions or concerns contact your supervisor or Operations staff.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is available for authorized personnel and can be obtained through your supervisor or CNMS Operations staff. Unless otherwise stipulated in the RSS, approved safety glasses are required when entering and working in all CNMS labs. Long pants and closed toed shoes are required at all times in labs (shorts, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not permitted).

CNMS maintains a site-wide chemical inventory in the ORNL Hazardous Materials Management Information System (HMMIS).  

CNMS adheres to the DOE Policy on Nanoscale Materials, DOE Order 456.1 THE SAFE HANDLING OF UNBOUND ENGINEERED NANOPARTICLES, and ORNL requirements.

Personnel are NOT PERMITTED to perform any Electrical work above 50 VDC or VAC without additional training and PPE. Operating a circuit breaker requires proper training and PPE. YOU MUST BE AUTHORIZED USER TO WORK AT OR ABOVE 50 VOLTS.

Personnel are NOT PERMITTED to use high powered lasers (Class 3B or Class 4) without required training, a baseline eye exam, and approval by the laser system owner. YOU MUST BE AN AUTHORIZED USER TO OPERATE HIGH POWER LASER SYSTEMS.

Operational Security

All Users performing work at CNMS are required to wear an ORNL distributed badge/ID in a readily visible location above the waist at all times.

All CNMS computers on the ORNL Network must be registered and meet ALL ORNL requirements including cyber-security. Non-CNMS computers can only use the ORNL Visitor Network.

All ORNL building security access requirements shall be followed when working at CNMS.

CNMS Emergency Response

In case of emergencies or if you require help or assistance contact the ORNL Laboratory Shift Superintendent (LSS) 24 hours a day by:

Dialing 911 (ORNL phone system)
Or
(865)576-4LSS or (865)574-6606 (cellular phones)

Red fire alarm pull boxes located throughout the building can also be activated if it can be done safely when exiting the work area due to fire or other emergency situations.

Emergency maps and information are located at each exit point in the building.

Transportation of Hazardous/Special Materials to and From CNMS

Specific requirements are in place regarding introduction and removal of hazardous materials at CNMS. It is highly recommended and preferred that hazardous materials required for research within CNMS be procured at CNMS. If hazardous materials are required that are not routinely available at CNMS then if at all feasible they should be ordered and delivered directly to CNMS. NO hazardous materials will be transferred to and/or from CNMS without guidance and approval of ESH/Operations staff prior to initiation of transport unless material is acquired through ORNL procurement/materials management.

Special Materials: Certain classes of materials require additional controls before being transferred into or out of CNMS. These include Nuclear Materials (including deuterated solvents and monomers), precious metals, drug precursors, biological agents, and radioactive materials. Please contact your supervisor and/or ESH staff with questions concerning any of these materials.

User samples: Users may only bring samples to CNMS which are specifically called out in user proposal and which have been approved by CNMS ESH. In any case, users should not transport hazardous materials to or from the CNMS in personal vehicles but rather use commercial shipping vendors following all appropriate DOT regulations. If you have any questions or are unsure if materials are considered hazardous then confer with your mentor/supervisor and/or CNMS ESH staff.

Electrical Equipment: All electrical equipment must be certified and labeled by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) recognized by OSHA to test and certify that equipment meets applicable U.S. standards. Any equipment that is not NRTL-certified cannot be brought into CNMS without an on-site ORNL inspection, which could cause a significant delay in your project unless advance arrangements are made for inspection. Equipment that is NRTL-certified will have an affixed label (click here for some examples). If you have a question about whether your equipment is qualified for use at CNMS, please contact Kevin Harman (harmankw@ornl.gov, 865-241-6379) and send a photo of the certification label(s) if possible.